1966 restoration
Discussion
Hi - First post on Pistonheads...
WE have a 1966 Austin Mini - Avril - one family owner, 48,000 miles from new - just scraped through MOT but looking to book a refurb at Somerford's.
Been quoted £5,500 just for bodywork and paint.(They want to replace a whole list of parts)
I know these guys are good but any views out there?
We want to keep our mini totally original as it's a bit of a timewarp car.
Thanks.
WE have a 1966 Austin Mini - Avril - one family owner, 48,000 miles from new - just scraped through MOT but looking to book a refurb at Somerford's.
Been quoted £5,500 just for bodywork and paint.(They want to replace a whole list of parts)
I know these guys are good but any views out there?
We want to keep our mini totally original as it's a bit of a timewarp car.
Thanks.
Welcome to PH 
The work I've seen from Somerford is very good but they are very expensive.
Where are you based? Minimaster in Penrith are very good as well
www.minimaster.co.uk/
There is a chap who is excellent at sympathetic restoration work, but I know he is very busy and it could be a while before he could look at your car.
If you have the time and if he's prepared to take it on you'll get a really good job. I know he's more interested in the older cars so theres a good chance he could help you.
I don't have the details handy, but Cooperman has his number.
Cheers
Neil
The work I've seen from Somerford is very good but they are very expensive.
Where are you based? Minimaster in Penrith are very good as well
www.minimaster.co.uk/
There is a chap who is excellent at sympathetic restoration work, but I know he is very busy and it could be a while before he could look at your car.
If you have the time and if he's prepared to take it on you'll get a really good job. I know he's more interested in the older cars so theres a good chance he could help you.
I don't have the details handy, but Cooperman has his number.
Cheers
Neil
Thanks Neil,
We've waited a year to get a spot at Somerford and have been really impressed with what we have seen coming out of their workshops.
For the money they plan to replace both wings, both inner and outer A panels, refurb the door hinges, repair inner wings, r&l closing plates, rh front floor pan, rh full length inner sill, rh&lh outer sills, both jacking points, 4x slinging shoes, rh&lh companion bin closing plates,inner sill stiffeners, boot floor corners, rh&lh full rear valence closing plates and a rear valance. Full respray inc stripping the engine bay and respraying - and a full set of carpets - so it's a pretty big job.
I guess we are looking for reassurance that Somerford's are a good choice for this restoration.
Thanks again,
Tel.
We've waited a year to get a spot at Somerford and have been really impressed with what we have seen coming out of their workshops.
For the money they plan to replace both wings, both inner and outer A panels, refurb the door hinges, repair inner wings, r&l closing plates, rh front floor pan, rh full length inner sill, rh&lh outer sills, both jacking points, 4x slinging shoes, rh&lh companion bin closing plates,inner sill stiffeners, boot floor corners, rh&lh full rear valence closing plates and a rear valance. Full respray inc stripping the engine bay and respraying - and a full set of carpets - so it's a pretty big job.
I guess we are looking for reassurance that Somerford's are a good choice for this restoration.
Thanks again,
Tel.
Somerford are about 5 miles from me and they have had a large amount of my hard earned over the last few years! I got a quote from them to do the scuttle panel on my car and they quoted for a full front end replacement. Basically, they won't touch anything short of a proper restoration job. In my case, welding in a couple of repair panels and blowing it over was not an option.
However, the quality of work coming out of there is superb. You will end up with a "better than new" result IMHO. They also have the best stock of rare and low-volume parts I have found anywhere.
However, the quality of work coming out of there is superb. You will end up with a "better than new" result IMHO. They also have the best stock of rare and low-volume parts I have found anywhere.
try these, www.northamptontoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=259&ArticleID=836267 , they have an excellent reputation already . Have seen some of their work and it is good .
Somerfords are very good too and so it Coopermans contact CS ( went to get my car back last night ) but he is very busy ( has another of my cars as well ).
Thats the trouble the companies and individuals that gain good reputations soon get their heavy workloads .
depends where you are as well .
>> Edited by rougeleo on Thursday 30th September 08:39
Somerfords are very good too and so it Coopermans contact CS ( went to get my car back last night ) but he is very busy ( has another of my cars as well ).
Thats the trouble the companies and individuals that gain good reputations soon get their heavy workloads .
depends where you are as well .
>> Edited by rougeleo on Thursday 30th September 08:39
Hi Avril, welcome to this site.
The guy mentioned by Neil and Rougeleo is Chris Spennewyn. He is based in Hitchin and I can't recommend him too highly. The only problem is that he is a one-man-business and gets very booked up.
If you want to give him a call his number is 01462 711080. Don't go to him if you are in a hurry, though. He has 3 Minis undergoing extensive resto at present, plus his own 1965 Woody Traveller, plus all his day-to-day work and, from Monday, my 1990 Cooper rally car which needs a new rear valence in a hurry.
I hope this helps,
Peter
The guy mentioned by Neil and Rougeleo is Chris Spennewyn. He is based in Hitchin and I can't recommend him too highly. The only problem is that he is a one-man-business and gets very booked up.
If you want to give him a call his number is 01462 711080. Don't go to him if you are in a hurry, though. He has 3 Minis undergoing extensive resto at present, plus his own 1965 Woody Traveller, plus all his day-to-day work and, from Monday, my 1990 Cooper rally car which needs a new rear valence in a hurry.
I hope this helps,
Peter
Once restored I do not plan to hide the mini away in a Carcoon for the rest of its life, I'd like to run it regularly year round.
Anyone out there use their Mk 1 daily.
Getting out of my company Merc and into Avril is one hell of a difference!
Up hills the little 850 is overtaken by milk floats - but it's such a laugh.
Anyone out there use their Mk 1 daily.
Getting out of my company Merc and into Avril is one hell of a difference!
Up hills the little 850 is overtaken by milk floats - but it's such a laugh.
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